Connectivity: Starlink suspends new subscriptions as network hits capacity in Nigeria

*Satellite Internet provider Starlink announces the company has suspended new residential subscriptions in Lagos and Abuja, while fresh applicants are put on a waitlist, in order to maintain performance levels in the country’s digital ecosystem

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

Global satellite Internet provider Starlink has announced the company suspended new residential subscriptions in Lagos and Abuja, FCT, disclosing its network in both Nigerian cities has reached maximum capacity for now.

ConsumerConnect learnt prospective customers in the affected neighbourhoods have been asked to join a waitlist before gaining access to the satellite Internet service in the ecosystem.

The company’s portal as well indicated that areas including Victoria Island, Ikoyi, Lagos Island, Surulere, in Lagos State, and several estates in Abuja display a “Sold Out” notice.

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Similarly, applicants attempting to register are prompted to pay a deposit to reserve a position on the waitlist.

A notice on the service page for Chevyville Estate, Lekki, also stated: “Starlink service is currently at capacity in your area.

“However, the good news is you can still place a deposit now to reserve your spot on the waitlist and receive a notification as soon as service becomes available again.”

It is noted that this development is evolving barely three months after Starlink resumed nationwide sales June 2025.

Previously, the company had suspended activations for eight months, beginning from November 2024.

Starlink had cited bandwidth shortages and unresolved tariff disputes with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

Report said an engineer affiliated with Starlink, however, explained that the restriction is intended to maintain performance levels.

The top technical official also stated: “It happens when the area cannot take a new customer due to its designed capacity at the time.

“This also ensures optimal network connectivity for the other users within the same geographical area.”

In expanding the network in Nigeria, the engineer said the company would require additional satellite launches, or NCC’s regulatory clearance to expand ground infrastructure.

Starlink’s Nigerian operations have faced rising costs since its 2022 entry.

It was learnt the subscription fees increased from about ₦38,000 per month to nearly ₦56,000 in 2025, while equipment prices range between ₦300,000 and ₦670,000.

Prior to the last price hikes heading to face-off with the telecoms sector regulatory Commission, Starlink had cited exchange rate fluctuations, compliance costs, and inflationary pressures for the price hikes in Nigeria.

The NCC sanctioned Starlink, October 2024, for what it described as unauthorised tariff increases in breach of Sections 108 and 111 of the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003.

The NCC subsequently, ordered a rollback to ₦38,000 monthly before approving moderated adjustments early this year.

The company’s subscriber numbers have since been affected, according to available stats.

NCC data indicated that active Starlink users in the West African country dropped from 65,564 in the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2024 to 59,509 in the first quarter (Q1) of 2025.

The development apparently showed the technology company’s first recorded decline in Nigeria.

Starlink’s footprint in Nigeria

Despite Starlink’s global footprint of over 6.2 million users as of July 2025, and over 900 satellites launched this year alone, the company’s average Nigerian download speed of 49.6 Mbps lags behind regional benchmarks, such as Botswana’s 106.4 Mbps, report said.

Industry experts also have attributed the gap to limited satellite coverage, overcrowded urban cells, and a small number of terrestrial Points of Presence in the digital environment.

The capacity freeze has reportedly intensified competition in Nigeria’s Internet market.

YahClick, in partnership with local ISPs, has introduced monthly plans from ₦25,000, while Tizeti offers solar-powered Broadband at ₦5,000 per month for underserved areas, according to report.

Eutelsat Konnect equally markets premium packages at $18,500 monthly, with speeds of up to 100 Mbps.

Meanwhile, similar service pauses have been reported in Kenya, Ghana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, where demand outpaces Starlink’s infrastructure.

The suspension of new subscriptions has left thousands of households in Lagos and Abuja on waiting lists, awaiting notification of when service will resume in their areas within the digital ecosystem.

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